Sidetracker

ABSTRACT

A directional guide for a spreader bar includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a first fin and a second fin spaced apart from the first fin. The first and second fins are coupled to the body and are configured to control a vertical position of the body in water through which the body is moving. Grooves are formed in the body. The grooves include a first groove extending along the longitudinal axis of the body, a second groove crossing the first groove and a third groove crossing the first groove. A keel is rotatably coupled to the body. The keel is configured to rotate between the first groove, the second groove, and the third groove. The keel is configured to control a lateral position of the body in water through which the body is moving.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/531,516, filed on Aug. 5, 2019,which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,089,771 on Aug. 17, 2021, which is aContinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/356,060, filed onMar. 18, 2019, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,368,533 on Aug. 6, 2019,and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/644,536, filed on Mar. 18, 2018, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sidetracker, and more particularlyto a sidetracker for trolling a fishing lure.

BACKGROUND

There are many methods for catching fish including spear fishing,netting, angling and trapping. Commercial fishermen often use nettingmethods involving trapping many fish in a large net that is pulledbehind a boat. Recreational fishermen generally use the angling method,though other methods such as spear fishing are also done forrecreational purposes.

Angling is a method of fishing that involves the fish biting onto abaited hook which becomes lodged in the fish's mouth. The baited hook isattached to a fishing line which is generally attached to a rod or pole.The fishing rod or pole is generally fitted with a fishing reel thatfunctions as a mechanism for storing and retrieving the line. To enticethe fish to bite onto the hook, either a natural or artificial bait(lure) is attached to the hook.

Lures are artificial baits that are designed to entice fish to strikethe hook. Lures typically mimic the natural prey or food of the speciesof fish which the fisherman seeks to capture. The lure may use visualappearance, such as shape or color, attract the fish. The lure may alsomimic the movement of the fish's typical prey to entice the fish to bitethe hook. There are many different types of lures, which can be usedalone or in combination with other lures. Lures can be made of manydifferent materials, such as wood, plastic, rubber, metals, feathers,animal hair, etc.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to fishing lures designed to be used inoffshore sportfishing, sometimes referred to a deep-sea fishing,saltwater fishing, or big-game fishing. The fisherman engaging in thistype of fishing is generally seeking to catch large fish such asswordfish, marlin, tuna, and sharks.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fishingsidetracker including a body including a first fin and a second finspaced apart from the first fin. The first and second fins are coupledto the body. The first and second fins are configured to control avertical position of the body in water through which the body is moving.A channel is formed in the body. The channel includes a first groove anda second groove. The first and second grooves cross each other. A wingis positioned in the channel. The wing is detachably coupled to thebody. The wing is configured to rotate between the first groove and thesecond groove. The wing is configured to control a lateral position ofthe body in water through which the body is moving.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thechannel may be formed in a bottom surface of the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefirst groove and the second groove may form an X-shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefirst groove and the second groove may respectively extend atsubstantially equal and opposite angles with respect to a central axisof the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thechannel may be formed between the first fin and the second fin.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefishing sidetracker may include a screw extending through a centralregion of the wing to detachably couple the wing to the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefishing sidetracker may include a release tab in communication with thescrew. The release tab may be configured to allow the wing to rotatebetween the first groove and the second groove.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the bodymay have a torpedo shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a holemay be formed through the body. The hole may be configured to securefishing lures to the body. According to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a hole may extend through a central axis of the bodyfrom a front of the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, adirectional guide for a spreader bar includes a body extending along alongitudinal axis. The body includes a first fin and a second fin spacedapart from the first fin. The first and second fins are coupled to thebody and are configured to control a vertical position of the body inwater through which the body is moving. Grooves are formed in the body.The grooves include a first groove extending along the longitudinal axisof the body, a second groove crossing the first groove and a thirdgroove crossing the first groove. A keel is rotatably coupled to thebody. The keel is configured to rotate between the first groove, thesecond groove, and the third groove. The keel is configured to control alateral position of the body in water through which the body is moving.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thegrooves include a fourth groove and a fifth groove. The fourth grooveand the fifth groove each cross the first groove.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the keelis configured to rotate between the first groove, the second groove andthe third groove while remaining coupled to the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a screw,a bolt, a rivet, or a pin rotatably couples the keel to the body.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a firstextended sidewall extends above at least one of the grooves and a secondextended sidewall extends above at least one other groove of thegrooves. The first extended sidewall and the second extended sidewalllimit rotation of the keel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefirst extended sidewall and the second extended sidewall limit rotationof the keel to about 90 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other features of the present disclosure will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the main body (10) of the fishingsidetracker showing the torpedo shaped body (11), the fins (12), theX-shaped channel (15) and the hole (16) for affixing a thin metal rodwith trailing smaller lures.

FIG. 2 is view of the bottom of the main body of the fishing sidetrackerillustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side view of the main body of the fishing sidetrackerillustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a view of the top of the fishing sidetracker illustrated inFIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a view of one of the wings (20) which is detachably coupled tothe main body (10) of the fishing sidetracker illustrated in FIG. 1 viathe X-shaped channel (15).

FIG. 6 is a view of the main body (10) to which one of the wings (20)has been detachably coupled in the fishing sidetracker illustrated inFIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a bottom-up view of a body of a directional guide according toaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear, perspective view of the body of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a front, perspective view of the body of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, rear, perspective view of the body of FIG. 7 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and theelements are not limited by these terms. Thus, a “first” element in anexemplary embodiment may be described as a “second” element in anotherexemplary embodiment.

As used herein, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood toinclude relative configurations that are substantially parallel andsubstantially perpendicular up to about + or −10 degrees from trueparallel and true perpendicular.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”,“attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc.,another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to,coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements mayalso be present.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein may be inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of variation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (e.g., the limitations of themeasurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or morestandard variations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure should typically be considered as availableand applicable to other similar features or aspects in another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, technical featuresdescribed herein according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be applicable to other exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omittedherein.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described morefully below (e.g., with reference to the accompanying drawings). Likereference numerals may refer to like elements throughout thespecification and drawings.

The terms “directional guide” and “sidetracker” may be usedinterchangeably herein.

The fishing sidetracker disclosed in this application is a fishing lurefor use in combination with other lures to attract the type of fishsought in deep-sea fishing, such as marlin, tuna and sharks. The fishingsidetracker may include a main torpedo like body and one or more wingswhich affix to the bottom of the main body to form a rotor. Additionalsmaller lures may be arranged behind the fishing sidetracker by means ofattachment using a thin metallic rod or stiff wire which traverses thetorpedo shaped body. When the fishing boat is in motion and pulling thelures through the water, the wing mounted on the bottom of the torpedoshaped body keeps the lure to the left or right of the boat and out ofthe turbulence caused by the boats motor. The fins on either side of themain body assist in aiding the lure to aim for the surface of the wateras the lure is being pulled through the water.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the main body (10) of the fishingsidetracker showing the torpedo shaped body (11), the fins (12), theX-shaped channel (15) and the hole (16) for affixing a thin metal rodwith trailing smaller lures. FIG. 2 is view of the bottom of the mainbody of the fishing sidetracker illustrated in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a sideview of the main body of the fishing sidetracker illustrated in FIG. 1 .FIG. 4 is a view of the top of the fishing sidetracker illustrated inFIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a view of one of the wings (20) which is detachablycoupled to the main body (10) of the fishing sidetracker illustrated inFIG. 1 via the X-shaped channel (15). FIG. 6 is a view of the main body(10) to which one of the wings (20) has been detachably coupled in thefishing sidetracker illustrated in FIG. 1 . The terms ‘body’ and ‘mainbody’ may be used interchangeably herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 , according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the fishing sidetracker includes the main body (10)and the wing (20) which affixes (e.g., is detachably coupled) to thebottom of the main body (10).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the mainbody (10) of the fishing sidetracker may include a torpedo shaped body(11) from which two fins (12) are affixed. A fishing line is connectedto the front of the body (13) to allow the fishing sidetracker to bepulled through the water by a fishing boat. On the bottom of the torpedoshaped body (11) is a deep channel in the shape of an X (15) which isfor the attachment of the wing (20) to the main body (10). The channel(15) is X-shaped to allow for the wing to be positioned in more than oneorientation with respect to the main body (10).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the wing(20) is not a permanent part of the main body (10) to allow fordifferent shapes of wings to be utilized for varying dynamics of motionin the water. Thus, the wing (20) may be removed and replaced with awing having a different size, shape, directional orientation, materialcomposition and/or weight.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, towardthe rear of the main body (10) is a small hole (16) which traverses thetorpedo shaped body (11). This hole (16) is used for attaching a thinmetallic rod (e.g., a ‘spreader bar’) or stiff metal wire to the fishingsidetracker for pulling one or more lures. Additional smaller lures areaffixed to the metal rod via fishing line or thin wires and are thuspulled along behind the fishing sidetracker when it is pulled throughthe water. These smaller lures may be any number of commerciallyavailable lures or lures made by the fisherman.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, afishing sidetracker includes a body (10) including a first fin and asecond fin spaced apart from the first fin (see, e.g., fins (12)illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 6 ). The first and second fins are coupledto the body (10). The first and second fins are configured to control avertical position of the body (10) in water through which the body (10)is moving. A channel (15) is formed in the body (10). The channel (15)includes a first groove and a second groove (see, e.g., channel (15)illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 ). The first and second grooves cross eachother. A wing (20) is positioned in the channel (15) (e.g., in the firstgroove or the second groove of the channel (15)). The wing (20) isdetachably coupled to the body (10). The wing (20) is configured torotate between the first groove and the second groove. The wing (20) isconfigured to control a lateral position of the body (10) in waterthrough which the body (10) is moving. The wing (20) may beinterchangeably referred to and understood as a ‘keel’ or a ‘rudder’which controls a direction in which the fishing sidetracker is directedwhen pulled behind a boat. The use of the wing (20) allows the fishingsidetracker to be pulled to the sides of a boat to increase an amount ofspace in a spread of trolling lures behind the boat.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thechannel (15) may be formed in a bottom surface of the body (10). As anexample, if the fishing sidetracker is pulled behind a boat (e.g., in anocean, lake or river), the channel (15) may face a bottom of the ocean,lake or river so that contact is maintained between the wing (20) andthe water through which it is traveling. Thus, a lateral position of thefishing sidetracker in a trolling spread may be controlled.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefirst groove and the second groove may form an X-shape. According to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first groove and thesecond groove of the channel (15) may respectively extend atsubstantially equal and opposite angles with respect to a central axisof the body (10). This allows the fishing sidetracker to take on left orride side orientation in which the fishing sidetracker is pulled towarda left or right side of a boat based on which groove of channel (15)that the wing (20) is positioned. Exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are not limited to a particular number or position of groovesof the channel (15). For example, additional grooves may be added tocreate a desired angle between the wing (20) and a central axis of thebody (10). Alternatively, a groove extending along the central axis ofthe body (10) may be employed to direct the fishing sidetracker directlybehind a center of a boat pulling the fishing sidetracker.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thechannel (15) may be formed between the first fin and the second fin. Forexample, the channel (15) may be formed between the first and secondfins, while also being positioned toward a front region of the fishingsidetracker. The front of the fishing sidetracker may be a part of thefishing sidetracker facing in a direction of travel of the boat pullingthe fishing sidetracker.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefishing sidetracker may be coupled to or may be an integral part of aspreader bar used for trolling lures, such as artificial lures. Livebait may also be incorporated into hooks or lures associated with aspreader bar.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefishing sidetracker may include a screw (21) extending through a centralregion of the wing (20) to detachably couple the wing (20) to the body(10) (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The screw (21) may allow the wing (20)to lift out of the first groove and rotate into position in the secondgroove. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,the fishing sidetracker may include a release tab (22) in communicationwith the screw (21). The release tab (22) may be configured to allow thewing (20) to rotate between the first groove and the second groove(e.g., after being lifted slightly out of the first groove and rotatedwhile remaining attached to the body (10) via the screw (21)). As anexample, the release tab (22) may fold out of an indent in the wing (20)to release tension between the screw (21) and the wing (20). The wing(20) may then be rotated and the release tab (22) may then be returnedto its original position to restore tension between the screw (21) andthe wing (20), thus securing the wing (20) in whichever groove ofchannel (15) in which the wing (20) is positioned.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the body(10) may have a torpedo shape. However, exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto and the body (10) may haveother shapes, as desired (e.g., other streamlined shapes configured toglide through water).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a hole(16) may be formed through the body (10). The hole (16) may beconfigured to secure fishing lures to the body (10). For example, aspreader bar may be secured to the body (10) through hole (16).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a hole(see, e.g., the hole formed in the front (13) of body (10)) may extendthrough a central axis of the body (10) from the front (13) of the body(10). The hole may extend entirely through the body (10) along thecentral axis of the body (10) such that fishing line may extend entirelythrough the body (10).

The fishing sidetracker described herein may be formed of plastic (e.g.,by utilizing 3-D printing); however, exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto, and other materials and/ormanufacturing methods may be employed, as desired.

Unless otherwise indicated below, the directional guide (700) describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 7-10 is substantially the same as thefishing sidetracker described above and thus duplicative descriptionsmay be omitted below. The wing (20) described above may be rotatablycoupled with body 701.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10 , the directional guide (700) for controlling aposition of a trolling spreader bar includes the body (701) extendingalong a longitudinal axis (X-X). The body (701) includes a first fin(702) and a second fin (703) spaced apart from the first fin (702). Thefirst and second fins (702 and 703) are coupled to the body (701) andare configured to control a vertical position of the body (701) in waterthrough which the body (701) is moving. Grooves (see, e.g., grooves711-715) are formed in the body (701). The grooves include a firstgroove (711) extending along the longitudinal axis (X-X) of the body(701), a second groove (712) crossing the first groove (711) and a thirdgroove (713) crossing the first groove (701). A wing, keel, or rudder(e.g., wing (20)) is rotatably coupled to the body (701). The keel isconfigured to rotate between the first groove (711), the second groove(712), and the third groove (713). The keel is configured to control alateral position of the body (701) in water through which the body (701)is moving.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thegrooves include a fourth groove (714) and a fifth groove (715). Thefourth groove (714) and the fifth groove (715) each cross the firstgroove (711). The use of multiple grooves allows the directional guideto be employed in straight, port and starboard orientations by rotatingthe keel (20) to a desired groove. The use of grooves having multipleangles with respect to longitudinal axis (X-X) allows the directionalguide to track at different angles behind a boat, thus permittingmultiple directional guides to be employed at varying distances from aboat. This increases a number of spreader bars that can be trolledbehind a boat.

In use, the keel (20) may be rotated and secured in any of the grooves(711-715) to control a lateral position of a spreader bar coupled to thedirection guide (700). Positioning the keel (20) in the first groove(711) would cause the directional guide (700) to track directly behind aboat. Positioning the keel (20) in any of grooves (712-715) steers thedirectional guide (700) away from a boat to varying degrees based on anangle of a particular one of grooves (712-715) with respect to the firstgroove (711). As an example, the grooves (711-715) may be substantiallyevenly spaced apart from each other.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a screw,a bolt, a rivet, or a pin (see, e.g., screw (21)) rotatably couples thekeel (20) to the body (701).

In use, the keel (20) is configured to rotate about the screw, bolt,rivet or pin between any of grooves (711-715) while remaining coupled tothe body (701). For example, screw (21) may be coupled to an orifice(706) formed in body (701). The orifice (706) may be threaded. The keel(20) can be lifted out of one groove while still being connected to thebody (701) by the screw, bolt, rivet or pin, rotated into orientationwith a second groove and then positioned in the second groove. Forexample, moving the keel (20) from the first groove (711) to the secondgroove (712) would change the directional guide (700) from trackingdirectly behind a boat to tracking to the port or starboard side behindthe boat.

As an example, release tab (22) described with reference to FIG. 5 ,allows tension of the screw, bolt, rivet or pin to be released such thatthe keel (20) can be slid up and down along the screw, bolt, rivet orpin and rotated to a desired groove.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a firstextended sidewall (704) extends above at least one of the grooves(711-715) and a second extended sidewall (705) extends above at leastone other groove of the grooves (711-715). The first extended sidewall(704) and the second extended sidewall (705) limit rotation of the keel(20). For example, the first extended sidewall (704) extends above thefourth groove (714) and the second extended sidewall (705) extends abovethe fifth groove (715). A height of the first extended sidewall (704)and the second extended sidewall (705) exceeds a distance from which thekeel (20) can be advanced away from the body (701) while remainingattached to the body. Thus, even when free of the grooves and able torotate, the keel (20) will come into direct contact with the firstextended sidewall (704) and the second extended sidewall (705) whenrotated into a position to inserted into the fourth groove (714) or thefifth groove (715).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thefirst extended sidewall (704) and the second extended sidewall (705)limit rotation of the keel (20) to about 90 degrees.

The disclosures of each of the references, patents and published patentapplications disclosed herein are each incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

In the event of a conflict between a definition herein and a definitionincorporated by reference, the definition provided herein is intended.

Having described exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it isfurther noted that it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A directional guide for a spreader bar,comprising: a body extending along a central longitudinal axis thereof,the body defining a bottom surface thereof, the body including a firstfin and a second fin spaced apart from the first fin, the first andsecond fins extending from the body and configured to control a verticalposition of the body in water through which the body is moving, the bodydefining a front-end portion thereof between the first fin and thesecond fin; a plurality of grooves formed in the bottom surface of thebody, the plurality of grooves including a first groove extending alongthe central longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the first groove isdefined in the front-end portion of the body between the first fin andthe second fin, a second groove crossing the first groove and a thirdgroove crossing the first groove; a keel rotatably coupled to the body,the keel defining a vertical axis, the keel configured to rotate betweenthe first groove, the second groove, and the third groove, the keelconfigured to control a lateral position of the body in the waterthrough which the body is moving; and a connecting member extendingwithin the keel along the vertical axis to rotatably secure the keel tothe body, wherein the keel is configured to be advanced away from thebody along the vertical axis while still being coupled to the body bythe connecting member and rotated about the connecting member between atleast a first rotational orientation and a second rotational orientationwhile remaining coupled to the body by the connecting member.
 2. Thedirectional guide of claim 1, wherein the plurality of grooves include afourth groove and a fifth groove, wherein the fourth groove and thefifth groove each cross the first groove.
 3. The directional guide ofclaim 1, wherein the second groove and the third groove form an X-shape.4. The directional guide of claim 3, wherein the second groove and thethird groove respectively extend at substantially equal and oppositeangles with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the body.
 5. Thedirectional guide of claim 4, wherein the plurality of grooves areformed between the first fin and the second fin.
 6. The directionalguide of claim 1, wherein the body has a torpedo shape.
 7. Thedirectional guide of claim 1, further including a hole formed throughthe body, the hole configured to secure fishing lures to the body. 8.The directional guide of claim 1, further including a hole extendingthrough the body along the central longitudinal axis.
 9. The directionalguide of claim 1, wherein the keel is configured to rotate between thefirst groove, the second groove and the third groove while remainingcoupled to the body by the connecting member.
 10. The directional guideof claim 1, further including a first extended sidewall extending aboveat least one groove of the plurality of grooves and a second extendedsidewall extending above at least one other groove of the plurality ofgrooves, the first extended sidewall and the second extended sidewallconfigured to limit rotation of the keel.
 11. The directional guide ofclaim 10, wherein the first extended sidewall and the second extendedsidewall are configured to limit rotation of the keel to about 90degrees.
 12. The directional guide of claim 1, wherein the first fin andthe second fin define an axis extending between the first fin and thesecond fin, and wherein the first groove is transverse to the axisextending between the first fin and the second fin.
 13. The directionalguide of claim 12, wherein the first groove extending along the centrallongitudinal axis of the body is substantially perpendicular to the axisextending between the first fin and the second fin.
 14. The directionalguide of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a screw, a bolt, arivet, or a pin.